Amid the Flood Control Mess in PH, Ombudsman Boying Remulla Speaks on Ongoing Investigation
Ombudsman Boying Remulla expressed his belief that the Discayas are “possibly” protecting Senator Mark Villar and his mother, former Sen. Cynthia Villar.
The supposed multi-billion corruption in the Philippines through the flood control projects funded by the government dismayed countless Filipinos across the nation and abroad. It did not only allegedly involved contractors but as well as senators and congressmen.
Amid the flood control mess in the country, President Bongbong Marcos ordered the creation of an independent body that will investigate the issue. The newly-appointed Ombudsman also vowed to speed up the process in solving the issue.
Ombudsman Remulla previously assured that he will not spare even the relatives of Marcos Jr. if there would be an evidence against them. Recently, he also spoke about controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya and some senators.
The Discayas recently withdrew their cooperation with the Independent Commission for Infrastructures or ICI, the independent body formed upon the order of the President. According to the ICI, their withdrawal of their support came after a member of the independent body claimed that none has yet to qualify to become a state witness.
According to Ombudsman Boying Remulla, the Discayas are probably protecting Sen. Bong Go. During a previous Senate hearing, it was confirmed that the contractors previously had a joint venture with the CLTG Builders owned by the Senator’s father.
Amid the claim of the chief graft-buster, Sen. Bong Go denied knowing the Discayas. He also asserted that he is not hiding anything and he is open to any investigation as he is not afraid. He also claimed that he does not care if charges will be filed against the controversial contractors.
Ombudsman Boying Remulla also expressed his belief that the Discayas are “possibly” protecting Sen. Mark Villar and former Sen. Cynthia Villar. Based on a report on PhilStar, he stressed that the contractors grew when Sen. Mark Villar was the chief of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“Nung secretary si Mark doon sila lumaki, doon sila nakakuha ng napakaraming project. That’s where they.. they really raked it in nung secretary si Mark…Hindi pwedeng hindi alam ni Mark ‘yan,” the Ombudsman said.
Based on the report, Ombudsman Boying Remulla admitted that he still does not have a “direct evidence” but he believes that the Discayas will not be “very in” if they won’t make an effort to the sitting DPWH Chief then.
“Wala pa akong direct evidence diyan pero yung stay kasi ni Mark and knowing the Discayas became very big during that time, they sought favor with these people. Gustong gusto nila ‘in’ sila. Hindi naman sila magiging ‘in’ kung hind sila gagawa ng extra effort.” Remulla added.
Recently, following his appointment, Ombudsman Remulla moved to reopen the SALNs of the government officials to the public.